RIGA - Many of you reading this probably arrived in Riga by plane for the 2006 World Ice-hockey Championship, which means you most likely won't have time to visit Latvia's rustic countryside with its quiant wooden houses and pot-hole ridden highways. But that's okay, because there's still plenty to see and do in Riga. And if you find yourself staggering lost and bleary-eyed through Riga's tourist-packed streets, have no fear; TBT has mapped out the best city sights - and bars - to help you get your bearings back.
So, after years of planning, the hockey circus is finally in town. Your biggest dilemma now is where to go and watch the games. There's no shortage of good bars although there will probably be a shortage of free seats. After all, this is the biggest event to take place in Riga since Eurovision four years ago.
If you want to watch the games surrounded by beered-up, belligerent Brits, head to de Lacy's (Skunu 4) in the heart of the Old Town. Although it's actually an Irish pub, the place is generally thronged with British expatriates and tourists. It's a lively but good-natured place to drink and mingle with all sorts of charming people. You can amuse yourself watching drunken soccer fans straining to keep their eyes on the puck.
If you would rather watch the games in a trendier environment go to Orange Bar (Jana Seta 5). This tiny but stylish place is a favorite hangout for young locals. It also has a longstanding tradition of people dancing on tables when things start to get lively.
Ala (The Cave, Audeju 11) is a labyrinthine and rather primitive sort of place that has survived seismic social changes such as EU accession. The drinks are cheap, the atmosphere is heady and the crowd is a mishmash of everything from students to thugs. This is one place that remains authentically Latvian and would be a great place to watch the Latvian games.
Red Fred (Dzirnavu 62) is a trendy new pub-cum-restaurant that sells itself on its range of beers. The hockey is sure to draw huge crowds and the atmosphere is sure to be good fun. Just don't show up with anything less than the newest model cell phone if you don't want to stand out from the crowd.
If you'd like a calmer and more conservative environment to grab a pint and watch the games, try the Stella Pub (Lacplesa 35 and Skunu 19). It's a comfortable and relaxed setting with a fantastic choice of foreign beers on tap. It's the sort of place where win or lose, the atmosphere is sturdily genial.
Salt & Pepper (Janvara 13 and Palasta 10) is a real gem, with good quality and reasonably priced food and a wonderful atmosphere to kick back in. The only problem is that everyone ends up having such a good time there you might struggle to hear yourself having a good time.
While these are just a few of the places we recommend, every single cafe, restaurant and bar in Riga will be showing the games. If you really want something uniquely local, go into any kafejnica. There are plenty of them in the downtown area. The drinks are dirt cheap and the atmosphere is geared toward serious, self-obliterating alcohol consumption. If you have no interest whatsoever in watching the hockey we suggest you pay a visit to the Latvian National Opera. It will probably be the only hockey-free place in Riga throughout the tournament. That and the city's one and only monastery.
